Balochistan to get priority in provision of solar systems
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed for prioritising Balochistan in the provision of solar systems, stressing that the solarisation would help reduce the fuel import bill.
“The people will be provided with solar systems as an alternate to the costly electricity being generated using the imported fuel. The solarisation would not only reduce the import bill of costly fuel but also help generate low-cost and environment friendly electricity,” Shehbaz added.
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to carry out a comprehensive planning for an early execution of the solar projects. He called for giving priority to Balochistan in the provision of solar systems across the country.
He was chairing a meeting to review measures for promotion of solar energy in the country.
Earlier the meeting was briefed about the solar projects as an alternate to costly power projects. It was informed was informed that the government would launch solarisation projects of around 14,000 megawatts within next few months.
Out of these, the solar projects of around 9,000MW would be executed on priority, the officials told the meeting. Under the initiative, they said that the solar systems would not only be provided on reduced prices but also be given tax incentives.
The prime minister said that the alternate energy policy introduced by the previous Imran Khan-led government of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2020 failed not only to produce the required results but also to attract investment in the sector.
Shehbaz asked an inquiry commission for an early submission of a report on suspension of power projects during the PTI government’s tenure. He also sought a detailed report on the amount received as fuel price adjustment through the electricity bills.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2022.